Principal Process Engineering Specialist (H/F/N)

At Syngenta Group, we're a global community of 56,000 innovators across 90 countries, united by a 250-year legacy of agricultural excellence. As the world's most local agricultural technology partner, we create tailor-made solutions that transform farming while protecting our planet, driven by our commitment to innovation, ethics, and integrity. Through our inclusive environment and diverse perspectives, we pioneer breakthrough solutions for farmers, society, and future generations. Join our worldwide teams of agricultural pioneers in creating a more resilient and equitable food system for all. 

As a Principal Process Engineer Specialist, you will provide technical leadership for chemical processes supporting the development, scale-up, introduction and ongoing improvement of intermediates and active ingredients at industrial scale.

You will hold and develop process know-how for assigned chemical steps, ensuring that processes are safe, compliant, robust, sustainable and fit for Supply Chain needs. You will work closely with production, project teams, chemists and global technical networks to solve complex technical challenges, improve performance and support strategic initiatives.

Accountabilities:

• Lead the technical development, scale-up and implementation of new or improved chemical processes for intermediates and active ingredients.
• Define and agree development programmes with relevant stakeholders; plan, oversee and, when needed, carry out laboratory, pilot and full-scale plant trials.
• Provide technical leadership for complex process-engineering projects, including process simulation, design, sizing and equipment specification
• Act as a key technical contact for project teams, providing expertise in process engineering and chemical process development.
• Support the commissioning and technical start-up of new or modified plants, ensuring design intent is met and production is established safely and effectively.
• Provide expert technical support to manufacturing teams, including troubleshooting, root-cause analysis and continuous process improvement.
• Define key process parameters and control strategies to ensure safe, reliable and compliant operations.
• Identify and lead initiatives to improve capacity, product quality, manufacturing costs, waste generation and energy consumption.
• Support process transfer and relocation projects to external partners or other Syngenta sites, in collaboration with Technology & Sourcing and Supply Chain teams.
• Provide technical input to Process Risk Assessments and ensure process design meets internal and external HSEQ and regulatory requirements.
• Coach and develop less experienced process engineers, sharing technical knowledge and local ways of working.
• Build and maintain strong connections with internal technical networks and contribute to the identification and implementation of innovative technologies.

• Master’s degree or PhD in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry or a related discipline.
• At least 8–10 years of relevant industrial experience, ideally within the chemical industry; experience in active ingredient or intermediate manufacturing would be a strong advantage.
• Demonstrated expertise in chemical process development, process design, scale-up and industrial manufacturing support.
• Practical experience in process simulation and modelling.
• Experience with Aspen Plus is preferred. Experience with other process simulation and modelling tools, such as Aspen HYSYS, gPROMS, Pro/II or CHEMCAD will also be considered.
• Practical experience with laboratory work, pilot trials and/or full-scale plant trials.
• Strong knowledge of process safety, reaction hazards, HSEQ requirements, Management of Change and regulatory constraints in an industrial chemical environment.
• Experience in commissioning new or modified processes and supporting technical start-up activities, including participation in Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and collaboration with automation and process-control teams
• Ability to work autonomously on technically complex projects with significant business impact, while collaborating effectively across multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong problem-solving, communication and stakeholder-management skills.
• Experience in coaching or mentoring junior colleagues is an advantage.
• This is a senior individual contributor role focused on technical leadership and expertise. It does not include direct people-management responsibility.
• Professional fluency in English is required. Knowledge of French is an asset, and support will be provided to candidates who wish to further develop their French language skills

What We Offer

• A competitive salary
• A profit-sharing bonus (option to invest in a company savings plan with employer matching)
• Works Council benefits
• Health insurance with 60% employer coverage
• A supplementary retirement plan (option to contribute unused RTT and vacation days)
• Career opportunities as well as possibilities for individual development and continuous training
• Special attention to your work-life balance with flexible working conditions and flexible hours
• A work environment that promotes agility, diversity and teamwork
• Responsible and varied work in a forward-thinking company
• On-site company restaurant

Syngenta is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or any other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.